Chef & Brewer crowns its 2014 'Masterchef' champion
Brett Leech, chef at the Axe & Cleaver in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, fought off competition from almost 100 applicants and four other finalists to be crowned Chef & Brewer 2014 Masterchef champion.
The competition, which was launched last year, gives Chef & Brewer employees the opportunity to create a dish that could feature on a future menu.
In this year’s final head-to-head stage, Leech won over the judges with a roasted monkfish and crab raviolo dish.
He wins a cooking class at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage, in Park Farm, Musbury, Devon, and personalised chef whites.
Leech said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to have won. Just to get to the final was an accomplishment, but to win – against such tough competition – is just fantastic.”
Strong talent
Nick Young, operations director for Chef & Brewer’s managed division – and one of the competition judges – believed the competition had been a resounding success in highlighting the strong talent that lies within pub restaurants’ kitchen teams.
He said: “This year’s Masterchef final was outstanding, with all the entrants presenting dishes that we could use in Chef & Brewer.
“Brett’s combination of dishes stood out on all fronts – the presentation, how each course complemented the last – and, above all, on taste.”
Young added: “Our Masterchef competition has once again demonstrated we have some truly talented chefs within our teams, and I’m thrilled that so many have taken up this opportunity play a part in our menu development.”
The other judges at the finalist stage were Chef & Brewer operations director Kate Wilton and brand executive Caroline Gallimore.
Spirit Pub Company owns and manages 791 pubs across the UK. Other brands within its estate include Fayre & Square, Flaming Grill, John Barras and Taylor Walker.
